Gregory Pratt

What we are currently seeing in the Middle East is the most dramatic unraveling of Peace in thirty years, if not the worst since the first World War broke out so suddenly, and our President isn't lifting a finger to stop it. Because, you know, all that's needed is for Israel to put on a "show of strength," and all will be well.

QUOTE(samclemens @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 09:48 AM) again, do you have a better solution? what should we be doing? what should israel be doing instead? i'll pre-empt your suggestion that we bring in jimmy carter for more peace talks. for god's sake, they dont work, so please dont suggest that. please see my post above about the arab countries involved in this conflict getting what they deserve and the reasons for it. in a nutshell, they shouldnt have dished it out to israel if they cant take it from israel. No, I'm not going to see your above post. I don't care what you have to say about it as I have said my piece. Besides, I'm not going to look to you for insights when you've just mockingly suggested that I'd bring in Jimmy Carter -- if you knew anything about me, you'd know that I ridicule Jimmy Carter more than any President aside from Warren Harding, and at any rate, you "pre-empt[ing]" my suggestion obviously shows that you have no interest in engaging me in any form of civilized discourse. Israel and Palestine are both ridiculous. I personally wonder how close to using nuclear weapons Israel is, and how much wink wink support we've given them in that regard. I know you're cheering for Israel to attack Iran, but if they do, unless they use nukes, they are going to have some serious problems. I can't in good conscience rah-rah-rah a senseless War, and I'll never cheer on the use of nuclear weapons, which is something I can see Israel doing.

Israel has no sense of proportion. It's completely nuts. And shame on Bush for his whole handling of this.

He wouldn't be leaving the Party by running as an Independent. The party'd be leaving him. I like Lieberman. I hope he beats his opponent, and I think it's time to stop cannibalizing Democrats who happen to support the War in Iraq and have an independent streak. I refuse to crucify Lieberman for having conviction, and I appreciate him as a good Democrat.

The point that Russia needs to be more Democratic is warranted. That they should emulate Iraq is ridiculous, and Putin did that rightly.

QUOTE(Rex Kickass @ Jul 15, 2006 -> 11:59 PM) Isn't it though? I'm actually not allowed to give blood. The Red Cross won't take blood from a homosexual?

I think Freddy'll be throwing just fine today. I have a secret source who told me so.

Wish you the best, Mr. Politte.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 08:52 AM) How soon people forget how reliable, effective and his stellar win-loss record [for those only concerned about wins] Buerhle has been throughout his career? How many consecutive games did MB go pitching 6 innings +? How many times has he saved the bullpen from overuse? He's having trouble, not unlike struggles he's had before, keeping pitches up, missing his spots, getting smacked around. As long as he's healthy, MB's a solid bet of getting back to the effective pitcher he's always been Every pitcher struggles at some point in the season. Buehrle himself once said that 1/3rd of the time, a pitcher has his stuff; the other third, he doesn't; and the last, he only has some of it.

It also aims at ridiculing those maniacs who call it an end to the season everytime a starter has a rough outing or a batter strikes out a couple of times in a game. (Which isn't to ridicule everyone, as those worrying about our starting pitching have a reason to worry.)

Went to Weko Beach. I'm tired as hell.

Enter the SoxTalk Bitter bitter everywhere, and not a ray of light For nothing on our team appears to be right Mark Buehrle's pitching from a slump Garcia can't-won't-gas over the 90 hump Vazquez' fragile mind gives us unrest While Contreras is facing a test To determine if he's with the best Although right now -- that's Garland?! Fifty seven wins -- that's all we've to give? My oh my, why does Politte have to live? If now we had to wish a wish, It be a point o era on the dish, But while we slump, we grump and groan And ask for Philly on the phone And Minaya of the Mets, as well To see what sweetness he's to tell And lest we die, he should take Our starters, before we break And as we lay down to sleep Pray the Mets Freddy to keep And if you call Buehrle an Ace There will be blood upon your face Hush little optimists, the season's through There won't be, a Series II Our pitching can be forkballed, it's done To hell with the idea, of one bad run Exit, Calm! Enter, SoxTalk! Take my hand Lost in "We Suck Land" Exit, Calm! Enter, SoxTalk! Take my hand, Lost in "We Suck Land!" Something's wrong, Slap the gong Bring back, Takatsu Something's odd, Rid of Pod, We miss Carlos Lee Something sucks, It's our rut, No one ever slumps Exit, Calm! Enter, SoxTalk! Take my hand Lost in "We Suck Land"

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 15, 2006 -> 07:26 PM) I'm very happy that Ozzie has changed his opinion on Tracey. I'll keep that in mind -- that Ozzie can change his opinion -- next time you tell me that a source of yours has told you that a player will never, ever, not so long as the sun is shining and the moon is beaming, play for Ozzie Guillen again.

QUOTE(tealeafreaderii @ Jul 15, 2006 -> 12:13 AM) yeah... when the media started making a big deal about it his play started to decline... I wonder if that was a contributing factor. Probably not. In the games he got hit hard against Pittsburgh and Cinncinnati and Texas, especially, it was because his new arm angle was flattening his fastball and making it far easier to hit. He went back to dropping down, and he was fine against, starting against Baltimore. He pitched more than well enough to win against Boston and New York. Good job, Jose. Start a new one.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jul 14, 2006 -> 11:35 AM) Does it really matter? He was on the 15 day DL from the start of the season until what, May? And who really cares if the Cubs have an opening on their 40 man? Do you play for the Cubs AAA team? Is that it? Yeah, that's it, all right. Had nothing to do with wanting to know the answer to the question because I didn't find it elsewhere. :rolly

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jul 13, 2006 -> 11:26 PM) Saves blown this season by Papelbon: 3 Saves blown this season by Jenks: 1 Two for Jenks, isn't it?

We had a cow-wrangling competititon at school. My job was to watch and observe. It was Freshmen versus the Cows, and it was fun to watch, but I grew tired and wished that I could be in there wrangling bovine. I have a score to settle with those cows! Came home and slept. Man, my body's been going out on me lately as soon as I get home from school and stuff. I think it's because I've felt so god damned bored, and a little lost of late. I wish it were September already, so I could restart school and have some direction in the day, instead of boring about. I can't quite put into words how I feel today, but I'm a mix of down and pissed. Actually, I'm tired, more like. I woke up to watch a White Sox game that's got me furious, and those god damned Royals aren't helping. f*** that s***.

I feel bad for the lady. I hope the cops decline to press charges and just let her off with a warning...and a hot date.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 14, 2006 -> 09:01 PM) I would not be upset if the White Sox were to replace their manager some time in the near future. Let's hire Dusty.

Let's go, AJ.

Let's add someone new to the hitlist. Shame Crede's not up. I hate this umpire. He blows.

QUOTE(valponick @ Jul 14, 2006 -> 05:09 PM) I agree that comparing Buehrle and Vazquez is silly, their numbers are surprisingly VERY similar. Eh, similarities are bound to happen between pitchers. But I can think up two different spots where they differ greatly: strikeouts and ERA. Mark is simply better at getting through an inning unless it's error-induced; Javier goes crazy.

QUOTE(Hangar18 @ Jul 14, 2006 -> 04:37 PM) Vazquez and Buehrle CANT be on the same team. Vazquez is simply the latin version of Buehrle. Gives up tons of hits, lots of runs, but eats lots of innings. Uh, no, not really. That's a really bad comparison.

I'm looking forward to this game more than any other aside from Opening Night.